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Star Cast
The Messenger
T.J. Allen
Teenager #2
Steve Antonucci
Soldier 'Fix'
Sara Jane Blazo
Kelly's Mom
Angel Caban
Mr. Vasquez
Gaius Charles
Brown
Michael Chernus
Alan
Fabrizia Dal Farra
Army Wife
J.D. Daniels
Newgarden
Brian Adam DeJesus
Teenager #1
Paul Diomede
Officer Davis Motorcycle Cop
Fiona Dourif
Soldier's Wife
Lisa Emery
Faye
Halley Feiffer
Marla
Ben Foster
Will Montgomery
Peter Friedman
Mr. Cohen
Kevin Hagan
Mr. Flanigan
Woody Harrelson
Anthony 'Tony' Stone
Peter Francis James
Dr. Grosso
Lisa Joyce
-
Jenny Kirlin
Ramirez
Sam Kitchin
Colonel Bauer
Jena Malone
Kelly
J. Salome Martinez
Captain Garcia
Samantha Morton
Olivia Pitterson
Lindsay Michelle Nader
Claire
Tomoko Otsuka
Japanese Army Wife
Portia
Mrs. Burrell
Patrick Riviere
Thrifty Guy
Armand Schultz
Dr. Klein
Jeremy Strong
-
Karen Summerton
Flirty Girl
Adam Trese
Manfrey
Eamonn Walker
Colonel Stuart Dorsett
Merritt Wever
Lara
Steve Buscemi
(uncredited)
Robert Feeley
Vietnam Veteran (uncredited)
Francine Bianco Tax
Reception Pianist (uncredited)
John Thomas
Malitia Body Gaurd (uncredited)
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Director:
Oren Moverman
Producer:
Benjamin Goldhirsh
Music:
Nathan Larson
Story:
Alessandro Camon
Genres:
Drama, Romance, War
Certification:
RestrictedStatus:
Completed

Plot Summary
The Messenger
With three months left in the service, Will (Ben Foster) has spent a good deal of time in army hospitals, healing scars from his time in Iraq. To make things worse, the girl he left behind (Jena Malone) has moved on with her life. Ironically, his chance at a fresh start lies in working shoulder to shoulder with Tony (Woody Harrelson), a senior officer who teaches him the messenger ropes of his new post with the Casualty Notification Office.
Will, who narrowly escaped death, must now break the news about those who didn’t. Between assignments, these two soldiers form a unique bond that helps them in their struggle to get back to "normal" life, fully knowing nothing will ever really be normal again.
Proving himself a cinematic craftsman, director Oren Moverman deliberately hasn’t made a political film. The Messenger isn't even about the military at its core; it's about people choosing to live life and finding the light and humor at the end of the tunnel.
Harrelson and Foster infuse these complex characters with the necessary pathos to raise their story to a new level of compassion. Foster adds yet another layer when Will faces an ethical dilemma because he is the messenger drawn to one of the young widows, played by Samantha Morton. She rounds out this powerhouse cast in a moving and elegant film that is an elegy of our time.
Trivias
The Messenger
- Sgt. Brian Scott, who was training to deploy to Iraq at Ft. Dix in New Jersey and was a technical advisor in this film, was subsequently injured in an IED attack in Baghdad.
Awards
The Messenger
- Silver Berlin Bear
Event: Berlin International Film Festival
Result: Won
Category: Best Screenplay
Recipient(s): Alessandro Camon - Peace Film Award
Event: Berlin International Film Festival
Result: Won
Category:
Recipient(s): Oren Moverman - Grand Special Prize
Event: Deauville Film Festival
Result: Won
Category: Best Film
Recipient(s): Oren Moverman - Critics Award
Event: Deauville Film Festival
Result: Won
Category: Best Film
Recipient(s): Oren Moverman - Breakthrough Award
Event: Gotham Awards
Result: Nominated
Category:
Recipient(s): Ben Foster